Ferris State SAAC Helps Make Wishes Come True

The Ferris State University Student-Athlete Advisory
Committee (SAAC) was successful in their fundraising efforts for
the NCAA Division II philanthropic project for the Make-A-Wish
Foundation.

The student athletes raised $1,486 to help grant wishes to
children who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening medical
condition. These funds will help enhance their everyday childhood
experiences.

“The GLIAC is very proud to be part of granting these
wishes for children,” said GLIAC Assistant Commissioner
Penny Cook.

The SAAC organization was able to raise the funds thru various
methods. A total of $577 was collected from dicot sales, which are
displayed above the ticket office window, offering change buckets
at the concession stand, a Papa John’s pizza fundraiser and
other efforts went towards the cause.

A blind auction that raised a total of $755 was also held to
raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. As part of the
auction, an autographed jersey signed by all 2009-10 FSU athletics
student-athletes was available.

The goal from the beginning of the campaign was to raise more
than $1,000 this academic year. With the help from students,
athletes, coaches, community members, fans, and faculty, they were
able to exceed their goal.

“This year the group really stepped up in our initiative
to raise money for Make A Wish," said Ferris State SACC Secretary
Tricia Principe. "We worked very hard to set
up many different fundraisers and had goals for all of our events
to help us stay on track. Our group's focus this year was
very impressive and it was a lot of fun to work with everyone in
the group to achieve a goal for such a great cause.”

Ferris State SAAC President Jordan Morgan was
also appreciative of the significant fundraising involvement.

“We are all very proud and thankful we could take part in
such a great cause in helping the kids' wishes come
true,” said Morgan.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation has not yet ‘adopted’ a
child, but has set a goal to raise $12,000 this year, which is an
average of $1,000 per institution.

“We are very close to our goal, but numbers are still
rolling in for our final tally,” said Penny Cook.

As part of the conference's fundraising actions, the
GLIAC SAAC shared the story of a family who was a recipient of
a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The GLIAC SAAC
rallied around Carson Brunk, a seven-year old boy from Potterville,
Mich. He was diagnosed with leukemia and had to overcome the
loss of a big sister a couple of year’s prior from a rare
neural disease called mitochondrial disease.

“I think adding a face and a story to our fundraising
programs, increased the energy level to work hard in our efforts to
raise money,” stated Penny Cook.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with
life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience
with hope, strength and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring
people helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police
officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in
the world, with 69 chapters in the United States and its
territories. With the help of generous donors and more than 25,000
volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants nearly 12,700 wishes
a year and has granted more than 175,000 wishes around the world
since its inception.